AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON - user manual
Thank you for buying the Audiobyte Black Dragon DAC/digital audio preamplifier. You
have now one of the finest devices of it’s kind available on the market.
The Black Dragon was designed to give you countless hours of musical enjoyment.
The package you received should contain:
- Audiobyte Black Dragon digital preamplifier, black anodized
- Power supply cord
- Infrared remote control
Safety Precautions:
1) This device is meant for indoor use only.
2) Protect device from excessive heat, humidity and liquid filled objects, such as vases.
3) Clean only with dry cloth.
4) Do not remove product covering. This may cause an electric shock even if the device is not
plugged in.
5) Use earth grouded outlet if applicable.
6) Before plugging any cables in the device, make sure it is turned off.
7) Do not move the device while operational.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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8) Lightning or static electricity can affect normal operation of the apparatus. Make sure that
it is unplugged during a thunderstorm. If the device is affected by one of these conditions
and stops behaving as it should, a power reset usually resumes it’s normal operation.
9) Power off or unplug the power cord if the device is not to be used for a long period of
time.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION :
Digital to analog converter with variable analog outputs
Inputs are : AES/EBU, S/PDIF, USB, I2S – (HD-Link), Optical Toslink
Outputs are: Single ended and XLR balanced audio outputs, headphone output
FRONT VIEW :
LEGEND :
1) Power switch
2) IR sensor
3) MENU key (similar function on remote control)
4) Dot-matrix display
5) Down (-) key (similar with remote)
6) Up (+) key (similar with remote)
7) Headphone socket (6.3 mm)
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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BACK VIEW :
The conenctors on the back panel are self-explanatory (upper left side – outputs, bottom
right – inputs; upper right – fuse and AC inlet)
POWERING UP
1) Connect the Black Dragon to the mains.
2) Connect the necessary inputs and outputs.
3) Make sure you power up the Black Dragon before the power amplifier you are using
and shut it down after the power amplifier. In respect to signal purity path, the dac
does not have muting relays in the signal path. Therefore, occasional pops can occur
on powering up/shutting down. It is recommended to respect the above described
power sequence.
4) On powering up, the active input (1) and corresponding sample rate (2) are indicated.
This is the defult screen of the unit.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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The input can be : USB, RCA, XLR, OPT and I2S. Sample rate can vary from 44 to 384k
for PCM signal. DSD type of signal is indicated with D64 (for DSD 2.8 Mhz) or D2X (for
DSD 5.6 Mhz).
Display showing input sample rate of 384 KHz (PCM)
Display showing input sample rate of DSD64 (or DSD 2.8 MHz)
Display showing input sample rate of DSD128 (or DSD 5.6 MHz)
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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When no signal is detected on the selected input, three horizontal lines will indicate
the lack of the input signal.
VOLUME CONTROL
To use the preamplifier section of the dac, you can directly press “+” or “-“ keys on the
unit (keys 5,6) and volume value will show up on screen for a couple of seconds.
Volume value can be between 0 and 127. Last value will be memorized automatically,
as well the last used input. To bypass the preamplifier section volume must be set at
max. (127). The volume control keys are replicated on the remote (up, down).
MENU
The dac menu can be accesed by pressing the Menu key (M), or the remote central key.
By pressing it once shortly the following screen appears, allowing change of the active input :
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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Pressing the +/- keys will change the active input in a cyclic manner. After selecting
the desired input, a long press on the menu key (M) will exit the menu, or a short press
will initiate the next menu options.
A 2nd short press of the menu will enter the digital filter menu. A unique finite-
impulse-response filter (FIR) was developed for Black Dragon exquisite musical
performance. We recommend that the filter should be kept on the default setting “ON”.
The filter can be disabled by pressing either “+” or “-“ keys. The display will show the
corresponding setting like “FIR ON” or “FIR OFF”.
After making the desired setting, a long press on menu key will return to the default screen.
FIRMWARE UPDATE
The Black Dragon is a software-defined processor; this means it’s internal digital
hardware architecture is mostly defined by a piece of software.
The update file for Black Dragon consists of a special wav file supplied by
Audiobyte. To properly use it, a bitperfect playback setup is required. We recommend
Foobar2000 in Kernel Streaming or Wasapi mode. In Foobar, volume must be set at
maximum (0 dB). The selected dac input should be USB.
If playback is bitperfect, when playing the update track, the screen below will
confirm the update process. After playback is completed (32 seconds), a restart of the
Black Dragon is required.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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REMOTE CONTROL
All the functions of the dac are available through the IR remote control. Make sure the
“DAC” function is used from the remote (DAC key).
Pressing up/down keys will directly control the volume. Central key will enter the menu,
and up/down keys will be used to change the menu settings.
A long press on the central key will exit the menu.
The “DISP” key can be used to toggle the display on/off.
USB CONFIGURATION
The BLACK DRAGON is up-to-date with all available resolution formats. For the
computer playback side, please consider the following informations.
Recommended software players:
1) Foobar2000
2) Jriver
3) Jplay
4) Audiogate
5) Audirvana Plus
Under Win XP environment, kernel streaming (KS) is recommended for PCM, and ASIO
for DSD playback.
Under W7/8 environment, WASAPI or ASIO mode is recommended for both PCM and DSD
playback.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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USB Driver Installation Details (Windows XP 32/64, Windows 7 32/64)
Do not connect the USB cable to the computer before driver installation. If you have
already connected the dac to the PC, click Cancel on the screen that has showed up and
remove the USB cable.
1. Go to product’s page on www.audiobyte.net
2. Download the compatible drivers.
3. Unpack zip archive.
4. Enter your OS folder.
5. Launch Setup32.exe for 32bit OS or Setup64.exe for 64bit OS.
6. After the application launches, click Next:
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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7. Wait for the driver to be copied and then click Finish:
8. Connect the dac to the PC. In the dialog below, select “No, not this time” and then click “Next”.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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9. In the new window select “Install the software automatically” and click “Next”.
10. Click the “Continue Anyway” button.
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11. Wait for the files to be copied and click “Finish”.
Select Audiobyte Kernel Streaming as output device in your music player or
Windows(Control Panel->Sounds and Audio Devices->Audio->Sound playback).
To adjust device volume, open Start->Programs->Accessories->Entertainment->Volume
Control, enter Options->Properties, select Audiobyte Kernel Streaming as Mixer device, select all
volume controls and click OK.
Using the Safely Remove Hardware icon in your taskbar before unplugging the USB cable
prevents your system from becoming unstable. If the device cannot be removed, stop the
playback and exit the applications that may use it as an output.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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1. ROCKNA LIMITED WARRANTY
THREE (3) YEARS
WARRANTY COVERAGE:
ROCKNA warranty obligation is limited to the
terms set forth below.
WHO IS COVERED:
Rockna warrants the product to the original
purchaser or the person receiving the product as a
gift against defects in materials and workmanship
as based on the date of original
purchase(“Warranty Period”) from an Authorized
Dealer. The original sales receipt showing the
product name and the purchase date from an
authorized retailer is considered such proof.
WHAT IS COVERED:
The Rockna warranty covers new products if a
defect arises and a valid claim is received by
Rockna within the Warranty Period. At its option,
Rockna will either (1) repair the product at no
charge, using new or refurbished replacement
parts, or (2)exchange the product with a product
that is new or which has been manufactured from
new, or serviceable used parts and is at least
functionally equivalent or most comparable to the
original product in Rockna current inventory, or
(3) refund the original purchase price of the
product. Rockna warrants replacement products or
parts provided under this warranty against defects
in materials and workmanship from the date of the
replacement or repair for ninety (90) days or for
the remaining portion of the original product’s
warranty, whichever provides longer coverage for
you. When a product or part is exchanged, any
replacement item becomes your property and the
replaced item becomes Rockna’s property.When a
refund is given, your product becomes Rockna’s
property.
Note: Any product sold and identified as
refurbished or renewed carries a ninety (90) day
limited warranty. Replacement product can only
be sent if all warranty requirements are met.
Failure to follow all require-ments can result in
delay.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED - EXCLUSIONS
AND LIMITATIONS:
This Limited Warranty applies only to the new
products manufactured by or for Rockna that can
be identified by the trade-mark, trade name, or
logo affixed to it. This Limited Warranty does not
apply to any non-Rockna hardware product or any
software, even if packaged or sold with the
product. Non-Rockna manufacturers, suppliers, or
publishers may provide a separate warranty for
their own products packaged with the bundled
product. Rockna is not liable for any damage to or
loss of any programs, data, or other information
stored on any media contained within the product,
or any non-Rockna product or part not covered by
this warranty. Recovery or reinstallation of
programs, data or other information is not covered
under this Limited Warranty.
This warranty does not apply (a) to damage caused
by accident, abuse, misuse, misapplication, or non-
Rockna product, (b) to damage caused by service
performed by anyone other than Rockna or
Rockna Authorized Service Location, (c) to a
product or a part that has been modified without
the written permission of Rockna, or (d) if any
Rockna serial number has been removed or
defaced, or (e) product, accessories or
consumables sold “AS IS” without warranty of
any kind by including refurbished Rockna product
sold “AS IS” by some retailers.
This Limited Warranty does not cover:
• Shipping charges to return defective product to
Rockna.
• Labor charges for installation or setup of the
product, adjustment of customer controls on the
product, and installation or repair of antenna
systems outside of the product.
• Product repair and/or part replacement because
of improper installation, connections to improper
voltage supply, abuse, neglect, misuse, accident,
unauthorized repair or other cause not within the
control of Rockna.
• Damage or claims for products not being
available for use, or for lost data or lost software.
• Damage occurring to product during shipping.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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• A product that requires modification or
adaptation to enable it to operate in any country
other than the country for which it was designed,
manufactured, approved and/orauthorized, or
repair of products damaged by these
modifications.
• A product used for commercial or institutional
purposes (including but not limited to rental
purposes).
• Product lost in shipment and no signature
verification receipt can be provided.
• Failure to operate per Owner’s Manual.
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY FOR THE CONSUMER. ROCKNA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON
THIS PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ON THIS PRODUCT IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY.
Some states do not allow the exclusions or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, or allow
limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to
you.
AUDIOBYTE BLACK DRAGON Digital Preamplifier
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Document version and performed modifications:
Version
Date
Description
1.00
17-07-2014
Initial release
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